Arkadag vs East Bengal: The Red and Gold Brigade faces a cultural shock before the conflict of the AFC Défi League in Turkmenistan

The oriental Bengal was faced with several challenges after having traveled to Turkmenistan for its return floor of the quarter -final of the AFC Challenge League on March 12. The Red and Gold Brigade is expected to play on FK Arkadag on Wednesday in the quarter -finals of the West region.

To acclimatize under the conditions, the club flew to the country on the evening of March 9, but had a culture shock with the “different” of rules for India.

Sport understands that the players were allowed to train before the match and all are in good condition. However, there is no internet outside the accommodation and passports of the team members were confiscated at the hotel. In addition, increased surveillance around the team has been observed.

“The team is in better condition. We have gone through certain problems during the season and some changes in the form of injuries, “said Oscar Bruzon, head coach of oriental Bengal before the match.

“But at the moment, I think most players are available, eager and delighted to be in such an important competition in the last step.”

Turkmenistan, formed after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, was under authoritarian regimes since then, starting with President Saparmurat Niyazov, who remained in charge until his death in 2006.

The Players of Oriental Bengal arrive for a training session. | Photo credit: East Bengal FC

The country has had two chiefs since – Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow before his Serdar son succeeded him at 2022 – and is sadly famous for his censorship and his abuse of human rights.

Internet is widely controlled in Turkmenistan and popular social media platforms as Facebook,, Instagram And Whatsapp Are prohibited, giving the country a score of two out of 100 in the report of Freedom House 2023 on the degree of political freedoms and civil freedoms.

The Oriental Bengal lost the first stage against Arkadag, at Yuva Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata, on March 5, Gurbanov Yazgylych won the winner in a 1-0 victory.

The return leg will be played at the Arkadag stadium in Arkadag. The aggregate winner will be facing al-Arabi from Kuwait or Al-Seeb of Oman in the semi-final of the West region.

“There is no need for too many words. We are all professionals. We want to let them know what they have to do, and we already have full time for that. So we are going to do our best and win this game, ”added Bruzon.

Having been eliminated from the race for the Indian Super League qualifiers, the Oriental Bengal has two trophies to play for this season – the League challenge, the third division of Asian football and the Super Cup in April.